Understanding and Reading Academic Texts

• Academic texts are critical, objective, and specialized, crafted by experts in a field.
• They are formal in language and style.
• Academic texts are factual and evidence-based, avoiding repetition, exaggeration, and contractions, and are typically written in the third person.
• Academic texts are concise, clear, accurate, and well-structured, prioritizing information over personal opinions.
• The purpose of academic texts is to debate or answer a specific question, addressing key issues in a field.
• Academic texts aim to enhance the reader's understanding of a subject.
• Examples of academic texts include essays, textbooks, and theses.
• Additional ones are case studies and reports, such as reaction papers, position papers, scientific papers, and concept papers.

Strategies for Reading Academic Texts

• Before reading, determine your purpose and preview the text.
• Consider prior knowledge and set questions to guide your reading.
• Identify relevant words related to the topic before reading.
• During reading, survey the text, focusing on the introduction and conclusion, to check predictions.
• Read sections based on the information you seek and summarize main ideas and initial reactions in 1-2 sentences.
• In a second reading, review new or important words and revise main ideas.
• After reading, list new words and evaluate the text by comparing it with your prior knowledge.
• Determine if the ideas align, conflict, or add new perspectives and whether you agree or disagree with opinions.

Reaction Paper

• A reaction paper is a written assignment offering a personal opinion on a given piece of work.
• The introduction includes a brief summary of the work and the main idea of the paper.
• The body contains the main ideas, arguments, and evidence discussed in detail.
• The conclusion is a summary/recap of thoughts, opinions, and the final impression for the reader.
• A list of citations includes the sources used in the paper.

Position Paper

• A position paper is an essay presenting an arguable opinion about an issue.
• The introduction introduces the topic and asserts the writer's view.
• The body includes background information, evidence supporting your opinion, and discussion of both sides.
• The counter argument summarizes counterclaims and provides supporting information.
• Articulate an informed and educated opinion about your position, and prove correctness using reliable sources.
• The conclusion restates your point of view and the resolution.
• The purpose of a position paper is to convince the audience, supporting your argument with evidence.

Academic texts are objective, formal, and evidence-based, crafted by experts to address specific questions and enhance understanding. Examples include essays, textbooks, theses, case studies, and reports. Effective reading strategies involve determining purpose, previewing, considering prior knowledge, and identifying relevant words.